Multi-Purpose Resistance-Free Exercise Wheel

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel is provided. The exercise wheel provides a resistance free and robust exercise device including a support rod disposed between a pair of wheels that facilitates better handling of the exercise wheel. The support rod includes a preferred length ranging from 12-18 inches, so as to optimize the grasping area to facilitate maneuvering of the exercise wheel. A shaft rotatably disposed within the support rod interconnects the wheels. Bushings disposed at the ends of the support rod facilitate forward and backward rotation of the wheels without resistance. The wheels include a preferred diameter ranging from 10-12 inches, so as to provide optimal support and stability to a user utilizing the exercise wheel. Handles disposed on opposing ends of the shaft extend outwardly relative to the wheels provide a grip for performing various exercises.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/381,629 filed on Aug. 31, 2016. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise and fitness equipment. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a multi-purposeresistance-free exercise wheel configured to work out a user'sabdominal, thigh, and leg muscles.

There are several exercise wheels currently available on the market,including devices with one wheel or two centrally positioned wheels.However, these exercise wheels are designed to work out a limited groupof core muscles, focusing only or primarily on the abdominal area. Thus,users usually must employ other devices or routines to increase thestrength of other muscles. Furthermore, many of these devices do notoffer adequate support for a user, making it difficult to be used bypeople with limited upper body strength, and may potentially cause backor arm injuries. For instance, the rod located in between the wheels oftraditional exercise devices includes a shorter length, which preventsusers from grasping the rod, or a central region of the exercise wheel,with both hands. Additionally, traditional exercise wheels includesmaller wheels and an overall smaller structure, making them unsuitablefor fully bearing and supporting the weight of a heavier man or woman.Moreover, traditional exercise wheels often include a resistance featureincluding a spring coupled to the shaft or axle which causes the wheelsto recoil, thereby providing resistance to the user. However, thisspring feature limits the movement of these types of exercise wheels,thereby restricting users to a small range of exercises that can beperformed using the exercise wheel. Therefore, there is a need in theart for a resistance-free exercise wheel including a more robuststructure having larger wheels and an elongated support rod, whichenables users to perform numerous exercises.

In light of the known exercise wheels, it is submitted that the presentinvention substantially diverges in elements from the prior art andconsequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for animprovement to existing exercise wheels. In this regard, the instantinvention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofabdominal exercise wheels now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheelwherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the userwhen working out various core, leg, and thigh muscles.

In one example of the present invention, the multi-purposeresistance-free exercise wheel comprises an elongated shaft including afirst end opposing a second end. A first wheel and a second wheel areslidably mounted onto the first end and the second the second end of theelongated shaft, respectively. Each wheel is positioned interiorly, orinwardly, relative to the first end and the second ends, such that thefirst end and second end of the elongated shaft extend horizontallyoutwardly from the first wheel and the second wheel. A tubular supportrod is slidably mounted onto the elongated shaft between the first wheeland the second wheel. The tubular support rod includes a first end and asecond end each including a bushing that is configured to rotatablyreceive the elongated shaft therein. The first wheel and the secondwheel are configured to rotate independently of the tubular support rod.A pair of handles are removably disposed on the first and second ends ofthe elongated shaft. A centerbore disposed centrally on each of thewheels is configured to receive the elongated shaft therethrough. Eachcenterbore includes a diameter less than a diameter of the tubularsupport rod and a diameter of the handles, such that the centerboresprevent the pair of wheels from shifting longitudinally along theelongated shaft when in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the multi-purpose resistance exercisewheel according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective phantom view of the multi-purpose resistanceexercise wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the multi-purpose resistance-freeexercise wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the multi-purpose resistance-freeexercise wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel. Thefigures are intended for representative purposes only and should not beconsidered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a perspective view of themulti-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel, a perspective phantom viewof the multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel, and an explodedview of the multi-purpose exercise wheel, respectively. The presentinvention provides a multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel 10comprising a robust structure including a pair of wheels 15 rotatablydisposed about an elongated shaft 20, a tubular support rod 25positioned between the pair of wheels 15, and a pair of handles 30disposed on opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 and positionedoutwardly relative to the pair of wheels 15.

The pair of wheels 15 are slidably mounted onto the opposing ends 35 ofthe elongated shaft 20, such that each of the pair of wheels 15 ispositioned interiorly, or inwardly, relative to the opposing end 35 onwhich the wheel 15 is mounted. The opposing ends 35 of the elongatedshaft 20 extend outwardly relative to the pair of wheels 15, orexteriorly to the pair of wheels 15. The pair of wheels 15 are disposedparallel relative to each other so as to facilitate rotation on asurface. The pair of wheels 15 each include a centerbore 40 configuredto receive the elongated shaft 20 when the pair of wheels 15 are mountedthereon. The centerbores 40 include a diameter less than a diameter ofthe tubular support rod 25 and less than a diameter of the handles 30,such that the centerbores 40 prevent the pair of wheels 15 from shiftinglongitudinally along the elongated shaft 20. Thus, the centerbores 40 inconjunction with the tubular support rod 25 and the handles 30 ensurethat the pair of wheels 15 remain in place on the elongated shaft 20while the exercise wheel 10 is in use.

Each of the pair of wheels 15 includes a preferred diameter ranging from10-12 inches, i.e., 25.4-30.48 centimeters, such that the pair of wheels15 are large enough to bear and support users having a weight of up to350 pounds, while helping to maintain the structural integrity of theexercise wheel 10 without compromising the stability for such users.Moreover, the 10-12 inch range improves the overall stability of theexercise wheel 10, thereby providing a more robust exercise wheel 10 forusers employing the exercise wheel 10 to perform various exercises. Inthe depicted embodiment, each of the pair of wheels 15 includes acontact surface 18 including rubberized material which is configured toincrease grip and friction with a surface on which the exercise wheel 10is utilized, and a plurality of support ribs 22 disposed around aperimeter edge of each of the pair of wheels 15 for providing structuralsupport and more stability to the pair of wheels 15 when in use.

The tubular support rod 25 is slidably mounted onto the elongated shaft20 and positioned between the pair of wheels 15. The tubular support rod25 is coupled to the elongated shaft 20 and comprises a first end 45 anda second end 50 including a bushing 55 on which portions of theelongated shaft 20 are disposed. Each of the bushings 55 comprises acylindrical liner configured to receive the elongated shaft 20. Inoperation, the bushings 55 stabilize the rotation of the elongated shaft20 when revolving about itself, and reduce the effect of friction withthe tubular support rod 25. In this way, the bushings 55 enable theelongated shaft 20 to rotate independently of the tubular support rod25, such that the tubular support rod 25 stays in place while the pairof wheels 15 rotate along a surface. Moreover, in this way, the tubularsupport rod 25 may rotate freely and without resistance about theelongated shaft 20. In this way, a user many utilize the support bar tomaneuver the exercise wheel 10 in horizontal, vertical, and angulardirections along a variety of surfaces. The tubular support rod 25includes a padded exterior surface 60 providing a comfortable andexpanded gripping area, which a user can grasp with both hands tomaneuver the exercise wheel 10. In one embodiment, the padded exteriorsurface 60 includes a tacky-like surface for serving as a grip for auser employing the exercise wheel 10.

The support rod 25 includes a preferred length of 12-18 inches, i.e.,30.48-45.72 centimeters, so as to provide sufficient surface area toallow a user to place both hands between the pair of wheels 15.Additionally, the 12-18 inch range optimizes the distance between thepair of wheels 15 such that it provides stability and support to theexercise wheel 10 without compromising the structural integrity of theexercise wheel 10. In one embodiment, the tubular support rod 25includes a length equal to the length of the portion of elongated shaft20 that is disposed between the pair or wheels 15. In this way, a usermay grasp the exercise wheel 10 at any position between the pair ofwheels 15 and apply a force thereto in order to perform an exercise. Inanother embodiment, the tubular support rod 25 includes a length lessthan a length of the portion of the elongated shaft 20 that is disposedbetween the pair of wheels 15, in order to minimize interference betweenthe bushings 55 of the tubular support rods 25 and the pair of wheels15.

The handles 30 are removably secured to the elongated shaft 20 anddisposed on the opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 when securedthereto. Each handle 30 includes an open first end 65 and a closedsecond end 70. The open first ends 65 include an opening 75 configuredto receive the opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 therein. Theopenings 75 include a diameter equal to or larger than a diameter of thecenterbores 40 of the pair of wheels 15. In this way, the pair of wheels15 are unable to slidably move towards the opposing ends 35 of theelongated shaft 20 while the exercise wheel 10 is in use. The handles 30include a padded and tacky exterior surface 80 configured to provide acomfortable gripping area which the user can securely grasp to performan exercise.

In another embodiment, the exercise wheel 10 includes a pair of pedals85 removably secured to each of the opposing ends 35 of the elongatedshaft 20 and outwardly relative to the pair of wheels 15, as seen inFIG. 4. Each of the pair of pedals 85 includes a planar member 90including a strap 95 configured to secure a user's feet to the pedals85, allowing the user to maneuver the exercise wheel 10 in a horizontal,vertical, or angular direction with his or her legs. In one embodiment,the pair of pedals 85 are mountable over the handles 30. In anotherembodiment, the pair of pedals 85 are mountable directly to the opposingends 35 of the elongated shaft 20. The addition of the pair of pedals 85allows users to exercise various muscle groups of the legs and thighs.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, thatdepartures may be made within the scope of the invention and thatobvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. Withrespect to the above description then, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A resistance-free exercise wheel, comprising: an elongatedshaft including a first end opposing a second end; a first wheelslidably mounted onto the first end and a second wheel slidably mountedonto the second end; wherein the first wheel is positioned interiorlyrelative to the first end and the second wheel is positioned interiorlyrelative to the second end, such that the first end of the elongatedshaft extends horizontally outwardly from the first wheel and the secondend of the elongated shaft extends horizontally outwardly from thesecond wheel; a tubular support rod slidably mounted onto the elongatedshaft between the first wheel and the second wheel, the tubular supportrod including a bushing configured to receive the elongated shaft;wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are configured to rotateindependently of the tubular support rod. 2) The resistance-freeexercise wheel of claim 1, further comprising a pair of handles slidablymounted onto the first end and the second end of the elongated shaft,the pair of handles positioned outwardly relative to the pair of wheels.3) The resistance-free exercise wheel of the claim 2, wherein the firstwheel and the second wheel each include a centerbore, wherein each ofthe centerbores includes a diameter less than a diameter of the tubularsupport rod and less than a diameter of the handles, such that thecenterbores prevent the first wheel and the second wheel from slidinglongitudinally along the elongated shaft. 4) The resistance-freeexercise wheel of claim 3, wherein the first wheel and the second wheeleach include a plurality of support ribs disposed around a perimeteredge thereof. 5) The resistance-free exercise wheel of claim 2, whereinthe handles includes a padded and tacky exterior surface. 6) Theresistance-free exercise wheel of claim 1, further comprising a pair offoot pedals disposed on the first end and the second end of theelongated shaft and positioned outwardly relative to the pair of wheels.7) The resistance-free exercise wheel of claim 6, wherein the pair offoot pedals include a planar member and a strap configured to secure auser's foot to the pair of pedals. 8) The resistance-free exercise wheelof claim 1, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel each include adiameter ranging from 10-12 inches. 9) The resistance-free exercisewheel of claim 1, wherein the tubular support rod includes alongitudinal length ranging from 12-18 inches. 10) The resistance-freeexercise wheel of claim 1, wherein the tubular support rod includes apadded and tacky exterior surface. 11) The resistance-free exercisewheel of claim 1, wherein the tubular support rod includes a lengthequal to or less than a length of a portion of the elongated shaft thatis disposed between the pair of wheels.